A recent Penn State graduate is joining the race to become one of State College’s next borough council members.
Democrat Josh Portney announced on Tuesday his intention to run for a four-year term as councilman in 2023. In a statement, he said he hopes to use his experience working in local government to boldly “strengthen the borough’s future.”
“We need to facilitate our growth in a reasonable yet welcoming way,” Portney said. “State College needs to live up to its goal of being an inclusive and welcoming community by encouraging opportunity, celebrating diversity and strengthening partnerships.”
Portney currently serves on both the State College Planning Commission and the Centre Regional Planning Commission. As such, he expects to place an emphasis on improving local facilities and supporting equitable housing and development throughout the borough. More specifically, Portney said he hopes to advance State College’s pedestrian and bike infrastructure, propose rent subsidies for small business startups and continue pursuing a “long overdue” zoning code review that promotes responsible growth as local development continues.
According to a media release, Portney also plans to “take an active leadership role in ensuring racial justice and equality of all stripes,” including race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender and religion. He also hopes to improve cooperation between law enforcement in State College and at Penn State to “ensure that everyone, especially students, are treated equally and without prejudice.”
As his campaign begins, Portney said he hopes to provide a youthful but dedicated voice to State College’s council.
“Local governmental bodies like the State College Borough Council are the closest governing body to the people, and I will not take my responsibility lightly,” Portney said. “I pledge to be a voice of, by, and for the residents of State College. Public servants can only be stewards of the community if they are trusted, and I hope to earn that trust.”
Portney graduated from Penn State in December with bachelor’s degrees in political science and broadcast journalism. He’s currently working to pursue a law degree at Penn State’s University Park law school.
“I chose to continue my legal education at Penn State Law because State College is my home,” Portney said. “Through my four years as an undergraduate student, I fell in love with the community, the people, the spirit of this town, and everything that comes with it.”
Portney developed experience in local government and politics throughout his studies at Penn State. He has worked on several campaigns, including as the campaign manager for State College Mayor Ezra Nanes in 2021. Portney currently serves as a legislative assistant for state Rep. Scott Conklin, who in November won a ninth consecutive term representing the 77th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
He joined the State College Planning Commission in December 2021 and was subsequently selected to be the borough’s representative to the Centre Regional Planning Commission. He also is Democratic precinct person for the 26th Precinct in State College, which includes parts of the Highlands neighborhood.
Five State College Borough Council seats are up for grabs in 2023. Those seats are currently held by Jesse Barlow, Deanna Behring, Janet Engeman, Nalini Krishnankutty and Peter Marshall. Barlow, the current council president, and Engeman are both reaching the end of consecutive four-year terms and will not be eligible to run for council this time around. Behring, Krishnankutty and Marshall, meanwhile, have not yet announced intentions to run.
So far, Evan Myers is the only other candidate to announce intentions to run for the upcoming council race. Myers, the senior vice president at AccuWeather, served two terms on council from 2014 through 2021, including a term as the council’s president.
The municipal primary election is slated for May 16. Candidates can circulate and file nomination petitions starting on Feb. 14.
